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VIDEO: Polota-Nau launches passionate defence of under-fire Cheika

By Tom Webber

Michael Cheika remains the right man to lead Australia despite increasing pressure on his position, says Tatafu Polota-Nau.

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Criticism of Cheika’s tenure increased after going down 38-13 to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship last weekend – it was the Wallabies’ fifth defeat in their last six Tests, which includes a home series loss to Ireland.

Since finishing second at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Australia coach has overseen just 14 victories in 33 matches.

Polota-Nau accepted the players must share the responsibility with Cheika and threw his weight behind his former Waratahs boss.

“He’s definitely the best man for the job,” said the 33-year-old hooker.

“At the end of the day he only wants what is best for the team and individuals when we have one-on-one time with him.

“He actually brings a great blueprint for us to work off. If anything, it’s more about how we take that blueprint and put it out there on the field.

“At the end of the day we’re the guys out there on the field and only we can control what the plays are at hand.

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“He’s also a great motivator, getting us to be upbeat in every single session.”

Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Coleman insisted there are no issues in the Wallabies camp, with Cheika and his backroom set-up having the full support of the players.

He said: “We’ve got full confidence in this coaching staff and we back them 100 percent.

“There has never ever been a question about that so I don’t know where that has come from.”

Australia have arrived in New Zealand ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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